Limelight

Part 2

The Ballroom Blitz

By Nick Maro

The sonic blast from the opening guitar riff tore through the audience. The stage lights highlighted the crowd in a mixture of hues as they cheered for the band on the stage. Some sang along with the lyrics of the lead singer, while others mimicked the instrument playing of their favorite members. On the stage the band played with ambition, energy and heart. The lead singer sang with passion and strength. At the bar of the club, The Misfits sat and watched the main act perform.

"I thought we were the main act!" Jetta yelled over the blasting speakers. She gave Pizzazz a long glare before taking a sip of her beer. "I mean yeah, we're bein' allowed to sell our album and some shirts, but I thought we had a deal here, Gabor." She finished her bottle and signaled the bartender for another. The bartender pulled a fresh bottle out and opened it for her.

"What's the deal here, Pizzazz? You said we'd have the main stage. Instead we open for these," Roxy gestured with her empty hands, then stopped and gave a slight nod, "actually they're pretty good. But it doesn't change the fact you said we were headlining." She took the beer bottle from Pizzazz's hand and looked at the green haired woman.

Pizzazz rolled her eyes and took the bottle back from Roxy. "We were the main act! It's a double main event show. We just went on first. Might I remind you that we did have an hour to perform? This band has the same amount of time." She took a drink from the bottle and smiled again. "And I should also point out that we're almost out of albums! David told me at last count we had about fifteen left. That's really good considering this is our third show this week."

"Actually, we're out of albums, but have way too many shirts." Stormer sat next to her old friend and signaled for water. The band on stage was getting ready their next song so she took an advantage in the lull to give Pizzazz an inventory update. "I think we overestimated the double extra large shirts we'd need." She raised her voice as the band started playing again. "David is packing everything up and taking it back to the house."

"Okay, tell him to wait for us. This band is almost finished and we need to see the club manager." Pizzazz pulled out some money and gave it to the bartender as a tip. She left Roxy and Jetta at the bar and followed the youngest member of her band. It was little quieter near the front of the club. She tapped her twin on the shoulder, getting his attention and lowered her voice a little. "Hey, we're almost done here. Mark the shirts to half off and then give the rest to the club. I have new ones coming in tomorrow. We've already made a profit on them."

David stopped taking down the signs and pulled out a marker. He quickly made a sign that read half off for the shirts and sat down behind the counter. "You sounded great up there, Pizzazz. Kyoko got some great shots of the Misfits performing. I'm glad she was able to attend before going back to Osaka tomorrow." He pulled out a shirt and handed it to a customer after giving them change. "She said she'll work on them on the plane then send them to you shortly." He smiled at a passing customer.

After signing a jacket insert Pizzazz passed it to Stormer for an autograph. "That will be great. I'm glad she had time to do this for us." She heard the band thank the audience for coming. "Okay, that's my cue. I want to book this club again next week. This was one of our best shows to date." Pizzazz ran off before her brother could respond. She wore a smile on her face as she found the club's manager.

Watching in the recording booth Rio listened to Jerrica sing the final track for the Jem and the Holograms album. Kimber sat next to him listening on the headphones. She chewed on a straw as she concentrated. She looked up at Rio, made an annoyed face and pulled one of the headphones off of her ear. "It sounds good, just not great. Jerrica's voice is spot on but there's something off about the instruments." She continued to chew on the straw as she looked for the right words.

"Wait," Rio said looking down at her in annoyance, "I'm the one who is mixing this album. You can't say there's something wrong on the final track." He threw his arms out and raised his voice again. "What do you want to do? Scrap the whole album? Start from scratch?" He put his hands on his hips as he waited for the redhead's response.

Kimber took the headphones off and stood as up she spat the straw out of her mouth. "I'm just saying there's something missing is all. I'm the songwriter here. I'm the one who wrote the lyrics and music. What your job is is to make sure I'm happy with it!" She looked up at him with a burning rage in her eyes.

Feeling his own anger begin to rise, Rio took a couple of steps back from her. He then turned back around and pointed at her. "You're being a spoiled brat, you know that? It's not just you who put their heart into this. It's Jerrica, Shana, Aja and I. You don't get all of the credit. We all share the credit."

"Oh fuck you, Rio! You're putting words into my mouth in saying we need to scrap everything. I'm outta here! I don't need your shit. You're not my father, Pacheco!" Kimber pushed him out of the way and started for the door.

Jerrica opened the door from the recording studio as Rio grabbed Kimber by the upper arm. "What the hell is going on in here?" She pulled Kimber away from Rio and stood in front of her sister.

Rio felt the blood rush from his face as he looked at his girlfriend. "Jer, I was just trying to stop her from rushing out the door. We were arguing about the album and things got a little heated." He put his hand out for Kimber. "I'm sorry I snapped. It's just putting this album together has been such a chore. Friends?"

Rubbing the tears from her cheeks Kimber ran into his arms and hugged him tight. "Always. My being a perfectionist is kicking in again." She turned to her older sister. "Like I was telling Rio, your vocals are perfect. I'm just not happy with the instruments. It's missing that special sound that will make us unique. I'm not one hundred percent sure what it is yet." She gave the couple a small smile. "But it's good for a debut album. I know I'll crack the secret for our next one." Kimber sat next Rio and listened as he started to mix the vocals with the instrumentals.

Zipping up his carry on luggage, David glanced at his swords and muttered under his breath. He wanted to take them with to Osaka but deep down he knew he wouldn't need them. He finally picked up his suitcase and locked his door on the way out. Downstairs he heard Pizzazz and Roxy talking with Kyoko. He slowly walked down the steps and listened for a moment. Kyoko was talking a mile a minute as usual while the two other women just nodded. He cleared his throat as he began walking down again. "Well, I'm all ready to go."

Roxy tried to hide her disappointment in seeing her boyfriend leave the country. Her eyes bounced from David to Kyoko and back again. "Are you sure you guys can't do this here? You've both been to the recording studio we use and know how nice it is."

"I'd love that, Roxy. But our label wants us to record in their studio in Japan. It's in our contract. But the good news is that this is our last album with the label." Kyoko gave a sly smile. "I think we're ready to switch labels after this album. Maybe break into the American music scene." Her smile grew wider as Pizzazz chuckled.

"We'll be done quickly. A few weeks tops. I've already practiced and learned the new songs I just need to play with the rest of the band. You won't even notice that I'm gone with all of the club dates you guys have." David gave his sister a tight hug. "You behave, Phyllis. Make sure the rest of the Misfits do also. If you need me for anything I'm a phone call away."

Before he could catch his breath Roxy hugged and kissed him deeply. She finally broke the kiss and choked back her tears. "I'll miss you so much. And—and I'll video chat with you every night." She hugged him tight again and whimpered softly. She held tight to his body as he tried to back away. "Don't go. Please," she whispered.

David held her tight and close rubbing her back gently. "I have to. I'm under contract." He finally pulled her far apart enough to look into her eyes. "If I had the choice, I'd stay here and complete the album. That way I could help the Misfits at your gigs." He kissed her forehead then her lips gently. "I'll be back in three weeks, four weeks at the most." He held up his fingers for her to see.

Kyoko tapped David's shoulder to get his attention. "We're taking a private jet, David. We don't have a set time to leave. So if you two want a few moments alone, by all means take it." She smirked as Roxy grabbed his hand pulled him into the study was next to the foyer and shut the door. "I'm sorry that this was so last minute. I got the call at about one in the morning from the record label."

"It's fine. I just didn't expect Roxy to react like that." Pizzazz picked up David's suitcase and brought it closer to the front door. "She'll be fine, though. You two make this album one the label won't forget and have a safe trip."

"I can't wait to be out of this contract. They've been demanding one album a year since we signed with them five years ago. We were young and had no manager, so they assigned one to us. He penned the deal and we stupidly signed. Thankfully the deal for our tours says we can pick who comes with us."

Pizzazz felt herself smirk this time. "So you want the Misfits to come to Japan and tour with you, right?" Snapping her fingers and winking, Kyoko nodded. She nodded back to the Japanese woman. "You know what? Why the hell not? I've always wanted to travel and now I have an excuse. When you're ready, send me the details."

"Excellent! I can't wait to tell the rest of the band!" Kyoko turned when the door to the study opened. She let out a playful giggle, "Well, that was quick." She rubbed her arm as Pizzazz slapped it. "I'll take good care of him, Roxy." She gave the Misfits bassist a tight hug.

David gave Roxy another hug and kiss farewell, then followed Kyoko out to the car she had waiting. Roxy wrapped an arm around Pizzazz and leaned against her. She returned the gesture and gave a reassuring squeeze. Together they watched the car disappear into the afternoon. "Come on Rox, we have to get ready for tonight. The show must go on." She waited for Roxy at the doorway, who slowly followed her inside.

Dropping the antacid pills in her water, Pizzazz put her sunglasses on and relaxed in her office chair. She reeled from the harsh sunlight and closed her blinds a little. Bringing the glass to her lips she took a small sip of the bubbling water. A knock at the door made her groan in slight pain. "Oh for shit's sake come in. It's open as it is." She took a larger drink of the water.

Jerrica came in and chuckled softly. "Looks like someone is regretting last night." She sat on the edge of the desk and lifted Pizzazz's glasses. "Damn, I hope whatever you did was worth it. I haven't seen bloodshot eyes like that in years. Except maybe the time you found that can of mace and sprayed it in your face. Oh man that was great." She laughed even harder when Pizzazz gave her the finger.

"Open bar plus a depressed Roxy equals everyone damn near blackout drunk. Except for Mary and her brother." Pizzazz finished off the glass of water and grabbed a cold bottle of water. "Craig and Mary packed up the van, drove us home, and somehow Mary got us in our pajamas. I'm still figuring that mystery out. Anyway, Roxy was upset over the fact that David had to go back to Japan for a few weeks. He needs to finish Pulsar's last album with their label." She held the cold bottle to her head and sighed in relief.

"He will be back for Kimber's birthday, right?"

"Yeah, it's just for, at most, four weeks. Probably less since he knows the songs they're recording." Pizzazz took off her sunglasses and moaned slightly. "But now I have another problem to solve. The Misfits are without a manager. David was actually our unofficial manager and I never realized how much work he did behind the scenes. So now I guess I now have to hire one until he gets back." She started to pick up the phone and then stopped. "How the hell do you hire a manager?"

"Now that, I think I can help you with. I've been managing the Holograms personally." Jerrica took out her cell phone and started searching in her phone directory. She kept talking as she searched. "But there is one person who I can think of who might be of some help." She turned the phone around when she found the name. "Eric Raymond. That lawyer who helped us with our parent's wills. He didn't seem like an estate lawyer at all." She gave her sister a tiny grin.

Waiting in the restaurant Pizzazz mindlessly stirred the lemon in her iced tea as she waited. She checked her watch as the server came around and asked if she was ready to order yet. Pizzazz politely declined and kept waiting for Eric Raymond to arrive. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him enter the restaurant looking apologetic. She stood up and straightened out her skirt as she did so. Eric shook her hand when she offered it. "I'm so sorry for being late. I completely forgot about the construction going on."

Pizzazz waved him off as she sat down and picked up her menu again. "Oh man, you live by that mess? I was stuck in that manmade hell for two hours last week." She looked over the top of the menu and watched the young lawyer. "We can discuss business now or during lunch. It doesn't matter to me."

"I was wondering why you called. You just said you had a business proposition and that it was better discussed in person." Eric set the menu down after he decided on his meal. "Did you want to draw up a will or something?" He looked at her slightly confused at being asked to lunch for a drawing of a will.

The server came back around and the two placed their orders. "No, nothing like that," Pizzazz paused in thought, "unless maybe I should. It would be a good idea." She shook her head a little and giggled, "Sorry, I had a long night last night. I called to offer you a business proposal. I know that you're schooled in business and personal law." She waited a moment to watch his reaction before continuing. "Our manager just left to Japan for a few weeks and I was looking into hiring a permanent business and road manager." Again she waited for his reaction.

Eric nodded in thought and took a sip of his drink as he considered her words. "So you are offering me a job?"

"Yeah, I'm not the best at this stuff."

"Let me think about it. I've been considering a move from the law office I'm at for a while now." Eric sat back a little as the server brought their food. "I studied a little bit of managing while in school. Come up with an offer and we can discuss it more then."

Pizzazz agreed and began eating her lunch. For the rest of the meal they made small talk and got to know each other a little better. Pizzazz had a feeling that this was the person the Misfits would need to get ahead in the music industry.

Slamming her palms down on the receptionist's desk, the gray haired woman known as Madison glared at the woman behind it. Her voice was a deep and menacing growl, "Where the fuck is Ross? He told us to be here at three o'clock." She looked up at the clock on the wall. "It's now a half after three. Either you let us in there now or we're forcing our way in."

The receptionist just arched an eyebrow and stood up. She picked up the phone and began to dial a number. "You can either sit your ass back down or I'll finish calling for security. Mr. Ross is in an important meeting and you can wait, you spoiled little cu—"

"Miss Gleeson!" Kevin Ross yelled as he exited his office. "That is not how you talk to my talent. I'm contacting human resources immediately." He held up his index finger to silence her as she began to object. He turned his attention to the four women in his waiting area. "I apologize for my staff and the wait. She's new and it won't happen again." He opened his door further and let the women enter. Once they were inside he closed the door.

The Stingers were sitting on the couch watching the musicians as they sat down. Kevin walked to his the wooden cabinet that held his drinks. He made a gesture as an offer. "May I get you ladies something?" He handed them each a drink and then sat behind his desk. "I know you're upset over the Misfits new album getting released before yours. Rest assured we're working on getting Banshee's Wail on the tips of everyone's tongue. I know you completed your new album last week. Marketing is working on a new media blitz for it." He stood and walked to the Stingers. "You will be opening for the Stingers on their next tour. Think of them as your mentors."

Riot scoffed and pointed at Madison. "Why should we watch after these no talents? Have you heard their songs? They're terrible." He turned his gaze away from the band and picked up his tablet. Loading up a website, Riot turned it and showed Kevin the picture on the screen. "Mary Phillips was the true reason why they were so good. Now they're just washed up and never beens."

The woman known only as Thorn growled and leapt at the golden haired lead singer of the Stingers. She swiped at his face with her nails where they barely grazed his face as he pulled away at the last moment. The two blondes sitting next to him wrestled the woman to the ground. Thorn struggled under them, kicking and trying to lift her restrained arms. The Gemini Twins and Madison rushed to Thorn's aid. The twins both kicked Rapture and Minx in sync, knocking the two women off of their band mate. Madison picked up Thorn off the ground and glared at the Stingers.

"Enough!" Kevin Ross yelled. The two bands backed away from each other and turned to their employer. "I will have new music for Banshee's Wail to learn by next week. But as of right now, Mary Phillips and the Misfits are off limits. You are not to encounter or engage them in any manner. Am I clear?" The Stingers and Banshee's Wail both agreed and Ross smiled. "I have plans for them."

Sliding her phone into her pocket Aja began to pack up her guitar when Shana tapped her on the shoulder. Aja gave a little startled jump and then laughed. "Sorry, I was lost in my own thoughts." She zipped up the case and straightened up. "What did you need?"

"Well, as you know, I'm still suspended from the police force." Shana searched for her words carefully, having only thought them to herself. "I was thinking of quitting. Being a police officer sounded great before I started, but I don't think it's really me. I'm having way too fun playing with the Holograms. I really think that's where I belong." She chewed the inside of her cheek as she waited for Aja to share her thoughts.

"This has to do with you helping me look at the evidence, doesn't it?"

Shana brought up her hands and waved them quickly. "No no no no, nothing like that. I've been feeling this way for a while now. It's just having this time off I've had time to do other things. We started the Holograms while I was in the middle of my training. Yeah, I'd dabbled in playing the drums and guitar, but never thought I'd do something with it." She looked at the drumsticks in her hands and smiled. "Turns out I really enjoy it."

"I know what you mean. I've all but given up on my street racing." Aja paused for a moment and thought about what she had just said. "Actually, it's not because of the Holograms that I have stopped. It has to deal with what's going on with Jeff and me."

"Yeah, what is going on with you and him? You've been having secret meetings and hushed phone calls." Shana leaned in and smirked a little. "Are you guys smuggling arms or something?"

Giggling under breath Aja pushed the woman away. "No! Nothing like that." She stopped and thought for a second. Jeff never did tell her why he was being hunted down. "Well, I don't think so." Aja sat down on the bench outside of the studio and shared a concerned look with her foster sister. She lowered her voice to barely a whisper, "Jeff is in the CIA and there's someone after him. I've been helping him discover who it is since they've come after me."

Shana watched the young Asian woman for a long moment before saying one word; "Bullshit!" She gauged Aja's reaction and sat closer. "You're serious, aren't you?" Aja only nodded leaving Shana unsure how to react. "When did this start?"

Aja let out a soft breath and began telling Shana about how it started. "When Jeff saw that the car that rammed into me was being remotely operated, we both agreed it wasn't that moron Zipper. Jeff wanted me to get a look at the electronics so he might be able to narrow things down. We thought it was some other driver I had pissed off." She paused for a moment and looked the purple haired woman in the eye. "This next part you can't tell anyone. Especially not Jerrica, she'll flip out. I met up with Jeff at the docks a while back. Shortly after we met up we were both shot at by a sniper."

"What the actual fuck?!"

"Keep it down, willya!" Aja cleared her throat and continued. "After that I've been a little jumpy and paranoid. Jeff has been talking to his contacts to see if there are any contracts on him." She felt a little silly saying it out loud but she felt better confiding in someone.

Sitting back in thought of what one of her best friends had just told her, Shana had the question that the most obvious on her mind. "Are you sure he's telling the truth? This sounds a little farfetched."

"No, I believe him. I actually really like him too."

Shana stood up and put her hand on Aja's shoulder lightly. "Well, if you believe him, then so do I. And your secret is safe with me." Aja stood and smiled. The two sisters left the recording studio together.

Sitting in her office Pizzazz went over the night's song list with the rest of the Misfits. They had agreed to try a handful of new songs for that night's performance. A knock at her office door caused each of the Misfits to look up from whatever they were doing. "Enter," Pizzazz said loudly returning to studying her tablet. "We should start off with a strong opening song, Mary. Show the audience that they're in for a hell of a show." She stood up when Eric Raymond entered the room.

"I hope I'm not too late this time, Phyllis."

Pizzazz walked over to Eric and shook his hand firmly. "Not at all, I invited the rest of the band to meet you." She made the quick introductions then gestured to a seat for the young lawyer. "Now, you told me to call you when I had an offer and I do." She wrote down a number on a slip of paper and slid it over to him. She smiled when he let out a low whistle. "I take it that the offer is acceptable?"

Looking at the piece of paper again,\ Eric nodded his affirmation. "Yes, I can handle this. I just had a few other questions. Will I be getting an expense account?"

"Hey! I don't even have an expense account!"

"Roxy, the band has one as a whole."

The guitarist sat back in her seat folded her arms across her chest and pouted out her lower lip. "I still want my own expense account for stuff and things."

Chuckling under her breath Pizzazz stood again and gave Eric a firm handshake. "Ladies, I'd like to introduce our new manager. Eric, you start tonight." She handed him a rolodex of phone numbers. "We're playing tonight at this new club called Transmet. Call the club manager Channon and find out what time we should be there. Our instruments and gear are already packed in my van." She started to rush Eric out of her office before he could ask any questions. "Your office is right next to mine. Now I have a set list to go over with the band. Any questions just come over and ask."

"Yeah, I had a few more." Pizzazz shut the door behind him before he could finish his sentence. He looked at the rolodex then at the office door that had his name on it. He stood before the door for a long moment and entered the office. A smile grew on his face as he shut the door. He was finally making something of his life that was sure to be exciting and new.

Ending the song with a screech from her guitar Roxy grinned at Stormer. Pizzazz gave the cue to begin the next song both Stormer and Roxy began playing hard and fast while Jetta joined in on her drums. Waiting until the musical cue, Pizzazz started playing her guitar just as hard and fast. She watched the audience cheer and dance as she began singing. Out of the corner of her eye she watched Eric bounce his feet to the music.

The Misfits were in the middle of their show, when Pizzazz nudged Roxy to get her attention. Without missing a beat, Roxy spotted the group of four women making their way to the stage. She just shrugged at the lead singer and kept playing. Pizzazz blocked the stage lights from her eyes during Stormer's solo to get a better look at the women. She saw that they were struggling and arguing with the security at the foot of the stage. Getting Eric's attention she motioned to the commotion that was starting to get more heated.

Looking to where his new employer had pointed Eric began making his way down. He had barely enough time to dodge a beer bottle that was thrown at him by one of the women. Another bottle sailed past his head and exploded behind Jetta. At that instant the Misfits all stopped playing their instruments and rushed toward the women. It was then that the other women pushed past the security and charged the stage.

In an instant Stormer recognized them as Banshee's Wail. A smiled crossed her lips as the leader of the band came charging at her. Stormer struck the gray haired woman in the side with a knee and a second time in the face with a right punch. The audience erupted in cheers and chaos. The Misfits and Banshee's Wail began brawling on stage and the club loved every minute.

TO BE CONCLUDED IN "SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT (FOR FIGHTING)"

PART 3 OF LIMELIGHT